Highly valued since ancient times, precious metals, in particular gold, have always been associated with financial solvency.
In financial markets, investing in precious metals tends to preserve capital over a long period of time.
Thus, they provide a long-term safe haven for traders who specialize in commodities.
Factors affecting precious metals' prices:
Supply and demand
As demand grows, prices for metals rise, while if demand is weak, prices for precious metals fall.
US dollar value
Since precious metals are denominated in dollars, their price tends to be inversely related to the value of the US dollar.
Inflation
Inflation directly affects the prices of precious metals. As a rule, higher inflation leads to higher prices for precious metals.
Industrial demand
The technology and industrial uses of gold, such as the demand for jewelry and electronics, can drive up the price of precious metals.
Investing in precious metals can help traders hedge against volatile markets, political uncertainty and economic collapse. It can also be an important part of a diversified long-term investment portfolio.